February 8, 2009, Lakeville, N.Y., Piper PA-30

At about 1115 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The solo commercial pilot received no injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported that, during the initial climb after takeoff at approximately 20 feet above the runway, the left engine began to "run rough." He then attempted to land the airplane on the remaining portion of the turf runway, landed hard, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear and damaging the right wing.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane sustained substantial damage shortly after takeoff, though the solo commercial pilot was uninjured.
  • The incident occurred when the left engine began to "run rough" at approximately 20 feet above the runway.
  • The pilot's attempt at an emergency landing resulted in a hard impact, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear and damaging the right wing.
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At about 1115 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The solo commercial pilot received no injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

The pilot later reported that, during the initial climb after takeoff at approximately 20 feet above the runway, the left engine began to “run rough.” He then attempted to land the airplane on the remaining portion of the turf runway, landed hard, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear and damaging the right wing.

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